Exercising device



March 5, 1946.

F. S. KUSZNIR EXERCISING DEVICE Filed Jan. 29, 1944 Patented Mar. 5,1946 yuNrrEo f STATES PATENT l ori-'ICE c... Anuman January zo, .1944,sensi No. 520,141

(ci. 2v2-s4) 17 Claims. This'invention. has to do with an exercisingdevice and has particular reference to a-device to be held inthe hand ofthe operator and to be operated so that it exercises a substantialportion of the-operators body. It is azgeneral obiect of the presentinvention to provide a device of the character mentioned which isextremely simple and inexpensive of manufacture, highly eii'ective inoperation or action, and exceedingly simple to manipulate.

There are many persons interested in exercismomentum'react the user toeiectively vibrate a substantial portion ofhis body and cause him tovexercise'a'. large portion ofV his muscular system in orderto maintainthe devicejn operation.

A'nother ,object of my presentinventionis to y' provide an exercisingdevice of the general character referred to which is extremely simple inlng or working variousparts of the body, some beingconcernedwithlimbering up muscles which have `been or are abouttobeused;others being concerned with the development of firm body structureorwith exercising particular parts of the body that may' require exercisevbecause of injury or' to'improvev the appearance. Athletes such asboxers are interested in limbering up or exercising their muscles priorto lboxingand variy ous other athletes are likewise desirous of workingtheir` muscles gently and stimulating circulation without undueexertion. It is notinfrequent that peoplesuier injuries which requiremanipulation or exercise of musclesvor tissues and there are manylpeople.who exercise vlto'beautify their.. bodies.

It been a characteristic disadvantage of mostl physical lexercise thatitreduiresconsiderable exertion or consumes asubstanti'al amount ofener8y "and thus/is tiring v a.nd,.further, mostordinary exerciseis' notsuch asto effectively stimulate'the-bodylin the manner desired. It isanobject of my present inventionto provide an exerciser which iseffective to induce circulation and to limber up or work `muscles inl alarge portion of ltheJi'ody, particularlyin the region vof :the arms;`shoulders, neckand chest. 'I'he device of the presentinventionis'particularly eiective inexercisi'ng andl in stimulating thearms and the body parts r'just mentioned', but also results invvorlri'ng of practically the entire body in that it involves the takingand maintaining of a stance, and a general tensioning of the muscularsystem.

It is a general object of Vmy present invention I construction andformation, making it inexpen! sive of manufacture'and exceedingly simpleto 'I'he various. objects andfeatures of my invention wil'l b e 'full'yunderstood from the following 'detailed description of typicalApreferred forms andi Vapplic-ationsv"of, the invention.v throughoutwhich? description reference is made .to the accompanyingdrawirig.,inrwhich' Fig. lisa side elevationv of one form of the presentinvention showing `the general `relationship/fof .the several parts voi'the device. Fig. 2 is'aplaniview ofthe device being a plan vview of thestructure -shown inflig.l 1.` Fig. 3 is a view .showingljhe mannerinwhich the device is gripped `in the'course of operation. Fig. 4 is alview similar to FISA showing a;,modied form of construction. Fig..5 is.a view'showing another fmodiiied form roflconstruc'tion which can beused 'in 'connection with'the invention as shown in Fig. 1o as it isshown'in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view so y ' vReferring similar to Fig; 1showing ,another form of the in ventiom.r

rticula'r to Figs. 1, 2' and 3 of the drawing-,' rthejdevice' ofthepresent invention "includes, generally, 'fa' body il), a handle Il andweight means: .I 2; Itiis a feature of the vpresent invention thatthefseveral vparts'just named are rigidly joined so thattthe device isinthe nature of a simple unit in which the handle is at the inner end of'thferbody I0 while the means I2 is l 1 at" the outer end portion ofthebody I0.

.In accordance with the broader principles of my invention the body I0is an elongate vibratory member, that is, an elongate part which isresilient and such thatitcan be readily operated to provide anexercising device of the character to vibrate. As will appear from thedescription to follow, and apparent from the drawing, the body Illv maybe formed in several different manners and yet have the generalcharacteristics which are required;`

In the form of the vinvention under considerationthe body I0 is in theformof an elongate blade. or leaf of spring metal, preferably springuser grasps the handle of the deviceand sets" the vibrating body inmotion and maintains the proper movement of the said member while `thesaid member and the means which creates the steel. It will be apparentfrom Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing that the body l0 is a thin blade.or leaf-likepart proportioned so that its length is several times thatofits height. It will beA understood, of course, that the exactproportioning of the body will, in practice, depend upon the thicknessand resiliency of the material used in the formation of the body andthat the particular proportioning of the body may be varied dependingupon the character of action desired in the device. The generalproportioning shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, is suitable for generaluse when the body is made vof spring steel of the general character usedin the manufacture of. carpenters saws and when the thickness of thebody is about that employed in high grade carpenters saws.

For most uses the body I0 is substantially uniform in character betweenits two ends. However, it may be varied as circumstances require. InFig. l, it willbe noted that the body is shown tapered slightly from itsinner end to its outer end, making its outer end portion somewhat moreilexible than its inner end. Variation in action may, of course, begained by varying the thickness of the body at different parts along itslength or a similar action may be gained by Y perforating the body atsuitable points.

The handle -II is provided primarily as a part at the inner end of thebody I0 to be conveniently gripped by the user so that the device can bermly held in the hand. In the form of construction illustrated thehandle II includes a grip I3 preferably proportioned and shaped toconveniently fit in the hand of the user and a yoke I4 which carries thegrip I3 and is secured to the inner end portion of the body I0.

It will be apparent from Figjl of the drawing how the two sides or armsof the yoke are proportioned to receive the grip `I3 between them andhow the yoke generally is proportioned to'aocommodate the users hand.The yoke is preferably fixed to the inner end of-the body I0 so that itis permanently joined therewith. In the case illustrated the yoke I4 isformed of a metal strap slotted at I5 to receive a clip I6 which isapplied to the inner end of the body I0 through resilient washers I1.The washers may be of rubber, leather, or other material that has asuitable degree of resiliency so thatk there is a slight amount of givebetween the body l0 and the yoke I4. In the case illustrated screws I8are provided for securing the yoke and the clip together'.

The screws are shown engaged through the l slotted portion of the yokeand extend through the clip, washers and body so that the several partsare held tightly together.

It will be understood, of course, that the grip I3 may be formed in anydesired manner and l that it may be secured to the arms of the yokethrough any suitable construction. In the case illustrated flanges 20project from the ends of the grip I3 to t slots 2i in the arms of theyoke and screws 22 are provided for clamping the arms of the yoke ontothe anges 20. 4

The means I2 provided in connection with the body is in the nature of aweight attached to the outer end portion of the body I0. In the form ofthe invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the weight is applied tothe extreme outer end of the body I0 and is in the form of two separateblocks applied to opposite sides of the body Illat its extreme outerend. Screws 3l are provided to extend through the blocks 30 applied toopposite sides of the body I0 at its eXtreme o uter end.v Screws 3I areprovidedv to extend through the blocks and the end portion of the bodyl0 to hold the blocks rmly in the body. It will be apparent that theparticular shown in Fig. l.

location of the weights on the body will vary the action of the deviceand that the size of the Weights will vary depending upon the density ofthe material used in their formation. In practice it is not necessary tomake the weights exceedingly heavy since 'their location at the outerend of the body gives them a substantial mechanical advantage as thedevice is operated. For ordinary purposes bodies of ordinary plasticmaterial, or the like, proportioned about as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,Work satisfactorily on a bodysuch as I have described.

It will be vapparent that there may be cases where it is desiredv tovary the location of the means I2 on the body I0, thus calling for anadjustable mounting of the means I2 on the body. In Fig. 5 I have shownone manner in which such adjustability may be gained. In this case Ihave shown slots 33 formed longitudinally in the outer end portion ofthe body I0 and I have shown th weight blocks 30 held on the body bybolts 34 provided with two nuts 35, which bolts pass through the blocksand through the slots 33. With this construction it is possible-toquickly vary the position of the blocks along the bodyV and thus varythe action of the device so that it suits the individual user.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 the body of the deviceinstead 'of being a single resilient blade or leaf, as hereinabovedescribed,

is divided into upper and lower sections A and B, respectively, locatedbeyond the upper and lower ends of the grip I3a. Each section A and B isdivided into two individual body parts X and Y which extend in oppositedirections from the grip and each of the body parts X and Y is providedat its outer end with momentum establishing means |28 In constructingthe device shown in Fig. 4 the two body parts at each end ofthe grip maybe formed of a single continuous leaf or blade whichl may be attached tothe grip through flanges 2l)a projecting from the ends of the grip. Eachbody part X and Y may be substantially the same ir.

construction and principle of operation as the Y an individual device isthus equipped with a multiplicity of vibrating bodies or arms eachindividual body can be considerably lighter and weaker than where thereis a single body, as Likewise, it will be apparent that the weights inconnection with the several arms can be lighter than is required whenthere is but one body. .v

Infthe form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 the body l0, instead ofbeing formed of a ilat blade or leaf of spring steel, is formed of acoil of wire. In this form of the invention the body Illb is a helicalcoil of wire, preferably wound tightly or so that the convolutions aretight one against the other and preferably Wound so that the body taperssomewhat from its inner end to its outer end, givingv it greaterflexibility at its outer end. It will be noted from Fig. 6 of thedrawing that the inner end of the body II)b is considerably larger indiameter than the outer end. The yoke Il of the handle is joined to thebody lo by a suitable plate Il"b and a heador coupler lo is provided onthe outer end or the bodyi to conveniently receive or accommodate inFigs. 1 to 3 o! of the body I and the momentum of the means l I2 causesa rapid, effective vlbratory movement oi a substantial portion of theusers body thus working and stimulating the body parts and causing theuser to work the muscular'system both in resisting the vibratory actionand in keeping.

the device in proper operation. lWith very little practice the user isable to maintain the device almost in a constant state of vibratoryaction by exerting very little effort, and yet a large part of the usersbody is exercised and stimulated. In practice the user may operate adevice in .each hand, thus greatly augmenting the action obtained.

In using the device shown in Fig. 4 the action is substantially the sameand the results are likewise very similar to those obtained with thedevice sllown in Fig. 1. It will be apparent, however, that because ofthe fact that there are several vibratingy bodies each with a weight,the

action is slightly diilerent and the technique involved in operating itvaries somewhat from that necessary with the device ci Fig. l. However,the general action is the same and the general results are likewise thesame.

each end of the handle and extending angles therefrom tiene er thebodies. the bodies. being neared et et nent 5. An exercising device oithe character described including a handle, a plurality oi resilientelongate bodies having their inner ends attached to the handle, andweights on the outer end portions o-f the bodies, there being twooppositely disposed bodies at each end of the handle.

6. An exercising device of the character described including, an-elongate resilient body,

means at the outer end portion of the body to be oscillated by the body,and a handle at the inner end of the body, the handlevincluding a yokeattached to the body and a hand grip carried bythe yoke, the hand gripbeing disposed transversely of the body.

7. An exercising device of the character de' scribed including, anelongate resilient body.l

weight means at the outer` end portion o! the body to be oscillated bythe body, and a handle at the inner end of the body, the body being inthe form of a thin at metal blade wider at its inner end than at itsouter end, the handle being disposed at right angles to the-bodyopposite its end.

8. An exercising device of the character described including, anelongate ilat resilient body, a weight on the outer end oi' the body,and a handle at the 4inner end of the body disposed transversely of thebody directly opposite the I Having described only typical preferredforms e l. An exercising device of the character described including, anelongate resilient body, means at the outer end portion of the body tobe oscillated by means of the body, and a handle at the inner end of thebody, the handle including a yoke attached to the body and a hand gripcarried by the yoke. j

2. An exercising device of the character described including, anelongate flat resilient body, means at the outer end portion of the bodyto be oscillated by means of the body, and a handle at the inner endofthe body .with a grip trans-u verse of the body and opposite the innerend of the body, the body-varying in ilexibility between its ends so itis more ilexible at its outer body to be oscillated by the-body, and ahandle at the inner end of the body, with a handv grip extendingtransversely of the body and spaced from the'inner end of the body thebody being in the form of a thin at metal bladevarying in widththroughout Iits length and wider at its inner end than at its outer-end.

. 4.7An exercising device of the character described including a handle,a plurality of resilient elongate'bodies having their inner endsattachedv inner end oi the body.l

9. An exercising device of the character described including, anelongate flatresilient body,

a weight on the outer end of the body, and a handle at the inner end ofthe body disposed transversely of the body in the plane of the body.

l0. An exercising device of thev character described including, anelongate flat resilient body, a weight on the outer end of the body, anda handle at the inner end of the body disposed transversely of the bodyin the plane of the body and directly opposite the inner end oi' thebody.

11. An exercising device of the character described including, anelongate resilient body, means at the outer end portion of the body tobe oscillated by the body, and a. handle at the inner end of the bodydisposed at right angles to the body, the said means including a Weightand means forxing the weight to the .body at various points along thebody.

`12. An exercising device oi the character described including a handle,a plurality of flat resilient elongate bodies having their inner endsattached to the handle, and weights on the outer end portions of thebodies, the handle being disposed at right angles to the body. 13. Anexercising device of the character de scribed including a handle, aplurality of flat resilient elongate bodies arranged in a common planeand having their inner ends attached to the handle, and weights on theouter end portions of the bodies, the handle being disposed at rightangles tothe bodies in the plane of the bodies.

14. An exercising device of the character described including a handle,a plurality of at resilient elongate bodies having their inner endsattached to the handle, and weights on the outer end portions of thebodies, .the bodies being arranged to extend in opposite directions fromthe` handle, the bodies being parallel to each other and the handlebeing at right angles to the bodies. 15. An exercising device of thecharacter described including a handle, a plurality of resilient tothehandle, and weights on the outer end por- 7 6/ elongate bodies havingtheir inner ends attached to the handle, and weights on the outer endportions of the bodies, the bodies being located at each end `of thehandle and extending at right angles therefrom, there being two bodiesextending from each end of the handle.

16. An exercising device of the character described including a handle,a plurality of resilient elongate bodies having theirinner ends attachedto the handle, and weights on the outer end portions of the bodies, thebodies being located at each end of the handle and extending at right 10all of the bodies being in a common plane.

PHILLIP S. KUSZNIR.

